Just a day after posting the first instalment of a new four-part work on her website Pottermore, J.K. Rowling has been accused of cultural appropriation for her own benefit after writing about a Navajo legend.

The Scottish author has been called out on social media for using “living tradition of a marginalised people” as a “convenient prop” by angry readers after she posted the first part of her ‘History of Magic in North America’ on her website on Tuesday (March 9th).

JK RowlingJ.K. Rowling has been accused of 'cultural appropriation' after publishing a series of posts about North American tribal legends

Another piece is to go up at 2pm each day until Friday, and this is part of a wider series of writings about magic in North America spanning the 14th to 17th centuries designed to tie in with the November 18th release of new movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

However, by writing about the Navajo legend of the skinwalker, which in legend are said to be evil spirits that can take on the form of animals, and putting her own interpretation on it, Rowling has been criticised by a number of voices from various Native American communities.

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Rowling has been known to interpret European-based legends for aspects of the ‘Harry Potter’ series, but this is thought to be the first time she’s based her writing on North American folklore.

Navajo writer Brian Young was just one of the angry voices, arguing: “J.K. Rowling, my beliefs are not fantasy. If ever there was a need for diversity in YA lit it is bulls*** like this. My ancestors didn’t survive colonisation so you could use our culture as a convenient prop.”

“Also worthy of note is that Rowling is known for responding directly to fan questions on Twitter, and overall being accessible to her fanbase. Despite thousands of tweets directed at her about these concerns, she has not addressed it at all. The silence is noted, and it’s deafening,” Dr. Adrienne Keene added after she had been deluged with responses accusing her of oversensitivity after her original grievance was posted.

As of the time of writing, Rowling has not responded to the criticisms directly, but did respond to one fan question by posting: “In my wizarding world, there were no skin-walkers. The legend was created by No-Majes to demonise wizards.”

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